After a difficult week away from home for some of the top sides in Copa Libertadores, the tournament favorites are in need of home wins in Week 4 to retake control of their respective groups.
Copa Libertadores 2014, Week 4 preview and fixtures: Leon, Newell’s in need of wins
Some of the best sides in Copa Libertadores dropped points away last week. In the fourth week of play, Velez Sarsfield, Newell’s Old Boys, Cruzeiro and Club Leon are among the teams in need of home wins.
Universidad de Chile, however, are in excellent shape after they won away to Real Garcilaso last week. They host the Peruvians in one of Tuesday’s early games and could go to the top of Group 2 with a victory. But they’ll have to wait until one of the last games of the week -- the big Cruzeiro vs. Defensor Sporting matchup on Thursday -- to see if they’ll finish the round in first place.
Velez Sarsfield is also in action on Tuesday and will be less likely to end their game against The Strongest gasping for air than they were last week. They struggled in La Paz, but will be favorites at home. And, given that they’re currently tied on points with The Strongest and Atletico Paranense, anything less than a win will put them in serious trouble.
Both of the Mexican sides in the competition play at home this week, and they’re in very different situations. Santos Laguna are top of Group 8 after their away draw against Deportivo Anzoategui and could clinch a place in the knockout stage with a win, depending on the result of the Arsenal-Peñarol match. Club Leon are much more in need of a win, as they currently sit third in Group 7, behind Emelec and Flamengo. However, they could potentially go to the top of the group with a win over the Ecuadorian side.
Wednesday night features arguably the marquee tie of the round, between Newell’s Old Boys and Gremio, the top two teams in Group 5. Newell’s sits three points behind the Brazilians, but managed an away draw to Gremio last week and will take the lead atop the group with a victory.
Schedule (all times ET)
Nacional (URU) vs. Atletico Nacional - Tuesday, 6:45 p.m.
Universidad de Chile vs. Real Garcilaso - Tuesday, 6:45 p.m.
Velez Sarsfield vs. The Strongest - Tuesday, 9 p.m.
Santa Fe vs. Zamora - Tuesday, 9 p.m.
Botafogo vs. Independiente del Valle - Tuesday, 9 p.m.
Santos Laguna vs. Deportivo Anzoategui - Tuesday, 11:15 p.m.
Peñarol vs. Arsenal - Wednesday, 6:45 p.m. ET
Atletico Mineiro vs. Nacional (PAR) - Wednesday, 6:45 p.m. ET
Bolivar vs. Flamengo - Wednesday, 9 p.m.
Club Leon vs. Emelec - Wednesday, 9 p.m.
Newell’s Old Boys vs. Gremio - Wednesday, 9 p.m.
Atletico Paranaense vs. Universitario - Thursday, 4:30 p.m.
Cerro Porteño vs. O’Higgins - Thursday, 6:45 p.m.
Lanus vs. Deportivo Cali - Thursday, 6:45 p.m.
Union Española vs. San Lorenzo - Thursday, 9 p.m. ET
Cruzeiro vs. Defensor Sporting - Thursday 9 p.m. ET
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